Category: General Information

This morning, the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children (WPSBC)   received a bomb threat.  Now I’ve never heard of the school being terrorized like this throughout my attendance there during the 1970s, or at any time before that or since, until today.  But with the rash of bomb threats received by the nearby University of … Continue reading WPSBC Bomb Threat

In the Fall of 1922, the Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind underwent a name change to henceforth be known as the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind. Within its majestic walls and throughout its hallowed halls, the student body embraced the notion that merely to be a good student wasn’t good enough. Excellence was … Continue reading WPSBC School History Overview

Wanted: your memories With the approaching 125th birthday of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children in January, 2012, we at school are very interested in your memories and thoughts at this very significant time in our long history. Just as I did when I wrote about my memories for you a while ago, we … Continue reading 125th WPSBC Anniversary Coming Up

Dear Alumni: WPSBC Superintendant Todd Reeves along with Jillian Pritts WPSBC Director of Public Relations are requesting members to share their thoughts and memories of time spent receiving education at the school.  They request it be brief and concise.   Below is an email from Jillian Pritts.  Examples to think about may include a favorite class, specific … Continue reading Thoughts And Thanks for WPSBC

From: Jillian Pritts [mailto:prittsj@wpsbc.org] Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 3:20 PM Subject: Pittsburgh’s Day of Giving Please Help Support the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children on “Day of Giving” 10/13/2010 Want to help provide an education that lasts a lifetime for boys and girls who are visually impaired? Make your gift go even further … Continue reading Pittsburgh Day Of Giving

Insights Mentoring Program Seeks Adult Volunteers Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh 1800 West Street, Homestead, PA 15120 This fall the Employment Opportunities Project at Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh is launching the Insights Mentoring Program. The purpose of this pilot program is to match young people ages 14-21 who are blind … Continue reading Mentors Needed For Teens Who Are Blind

Nancy Goldfons Super Coleslaw Nancy Goldfon is my southern sister in-law, and she makes the worlds best coleslaw.   Ingredients One head cabbage, shredded Or two bags slaw mix One onion grated   Dressing Ingredients   Four tablespoons real mayonnaise A few good squirts of bottled Italian dressing, approximately one quarter cup.     Directions Mix the … Continue reading Nancy Goldfon’s Super Coleslaw

Jenny Kaywood’s Broiled Bananas Ingredients Four bananas sliced in rounds One cup powdered sugar One cup crushed cornflakes or cornflake crumbs One half cup lemon juice Butter   Directions In three separate bowls, place powdered sugar, corn flake crumbs, and lemon juice.  Dip each banana round in lemon juice, powdered sugar, and end with the … Continue reading Jenny Kaywood’s Broiled Bananas

Cooking Under Fire, taught by Jenny Kaywood, the southern powerhouse. What comes to mind when you think about home economics teachers?  Usually, they are old fashioned, kindly, and efficient ladies, who cheerfully dispense the basics of cooking and homemaking.  Demurely, the teacher of the fifties and sixties would waltz around the classroom, checking on each … Continue reading Cooking Under Fire

School Days.  Housemothers.  Those mostly lovely ladies with the very very quiet shoes, which we called, housemother shoes.  These were usually single or widowed ladies, whose sole job in life was to keep the girls in line, acting as surrogate moms by monitoring us, correcting us, and loving us.  In our nursery school days, there … Continue reading Ellen’s Favorite Housemothers